Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
The Playmaster is an Australian twin channel guitar amplifier from the sixties – these came in kits, with instructions published in a magazine. It’s an usual design if you’re used to looking at Fenders and Marshalls etc. Channel one: The main guitar channel has volume, bass, treble, vibrato speed and depth and has 12″ speaker. … Read more
How to Test an Output Transformer Got an old output transformer with no markings or a transformer in an amp that your are not sure about? Maybe one used for a 100v line system? Don’t toss it just yet — with a few simple tests, you can figure out what it is, how it’s wired, … Read more
AWA Model PA872 is a 20-watt Australian valve PA amplifier from the early-to-mid sixties, originally running KT66 output valves and designed for 600-ohm PA speaker lines. I already own its little brother, the AWA PA774, so I had to grab this one. Inputs / Controls: Mic level (250k), phono level (250k) and tone (1meg). … Read more
Rewired the one of the secondaries on this A&R 2504 output transformer from this Steanes Sound System S311 PA head for an 8 ohm speaker. This is very much a note to self for future reference: approximately zero other people will be interested in this. Two bifilar winds in parallel were used for negative feedback … Read more
Etone speakers are a bit of a hidden gem in the guitar world, with their roots firmly planted in Australia. Manufactured in Sydney, these speakers were often considered the local (and cheaper) alternative to Celestion. Unfortunately there isn’t much detailed information available on the specs, but it’s widely believed that they have a ceramic magnet … Read more
Branded as Fox Sound Systems, this is really an AWA PA1003. I couldn’t find any information on Fox Sound Systems, Sydney. My guess is that they were an installer who ordered unbranded amps directly from AWA for their installation work—possibly for schools or government buildings. But who knows? I already own one of these, so … Read more
When I set out to build a proper test cabinet for amp building, I came across a great switch wiring setup that perfectly suited my needs. With the parts I had on hand, I was able to put together a versatile cab without risking damage to my favourite speaker cabs. There are of course commercial … Read more
Vox tone bender – two knobs and three silicon transistors. It’s kind of a silicon MKII with clipping diodes on the output. It’s loaded with a Jen FZ III circuit, which I wasn’t aware that it was ever used in a Vox. Photos from someone that grabbed a fuzz from me recently – Initially … Read more
This is an unbranded Philips or Steanes model 956C valve PA amplifier – it’s very similar to the Philips 956B that I have, which is why I bought it. It’s a prime candidate for a guitar amp conversion. The amplifier was unbranded and came from a batch of various types labelled as “Fox Sound Systems” … Read more
Macari’s often release pedals that are minor variations on the same circuit – in this case the “Sakata” Colorsound hybrid one knob fuzz has quite a few value changes compared to the previous hybrid they released, which was closer to a stock fuzz box. Macari’s describe the Sakata as being tuned closer to a MK1.5 I … Read more